Automotive Car Starter – Diagnosing Car Starter Motor Problems

Automotive Car Starter - Diagnosing Car Starter Motor Problems
Automotive Car Starter - Diagnosing Car Starter Motor Problems

Knowing the signs of a failing starter motor, can help you diagnose automotive car starter problems.

When diagnosing automotive car starter problems, always start with the battery.

So, for your starter to work properly, your car battery has to be, in excellent working condition and fully charged.

The automotive car starter, is used to rotate an engine, to begin the starting process. But, for a engine to start, many things need to happen, simultaneously and in rapid succession.

For the engine to fire, one of the most important factors, is turning of the flywheel. When the ignition key is turned, a low amperage electrical signal, is sent to the anti-theft system and computer.

Automotive Car Starter
Automotive Car Starter

The signal then continues to the starters solenoid, which activates the high amperage side of the electrical system.

As a result, engaging the starting motor. The objective of the starting motor is, to rotate the engine, between 85 and 150 rpm’s.

Basically, There Are Two Main Parts, In Every Starter:

  • The primary motor, that turns your crankshaft and starts your engine.
  • The solenoid, that simultaneously engages the drive gear and closes, the main motor’s electrical contacts.

Poor maintenance or just wear and tear can cause, starting system troubles. Even with decent maintenance, the different system components get a lot of wear, during their service life.

With more and more vehicles being fitted with stop/start technology, the strain on starting motors has been, greatly increased.

Over a period of time, the starting motor will eventually run its course and wear out. The two components inside the starting motor, that commonly fail are, the solenoid or the starting motor itself. So, if this happens, the starting motor will have to be replaced.

Common Symptoms, You May Notice, When Trying To Start Your Engine:

Engine Will Not Turn Over

The most common problem with a starting motor is, when you turn your key and nothing happens. A solenoid or motor that has burned out or electrical issues, may cause this as well. Furthermore, a dead battery, can cause the same problem. It may appear that you have power to your starting system, but the engine will not turn over.

Testing Car Battery
Testing Car Battery

Consequently, starters do take a lot of power to work properly. So, 9 out of 10 engines, with starting problems during winter months are, battery related.

Starting Motor Engages, But Doesn’t Spin The Engine

So, there are times when you’ll turn the key and hear the automotive car starter activate. But, it will not crank over. Because, issues with starting motors are sometimes, mechanical in nature. The gears that connect to the flywheel and make it turn, may be the problem. As a result, either the gear has stripped or has become, dislodged against the flywheel.

Grinding Noise, When Trying To Start The Engine

A worn starter drive gear not making proper contact with the flywheel, could make this noise. This is similar to the one that is heard, if you start your engine and then, accidentally restart it.

Teeth Damaged On Flywheel Ring Gear
Teeth Damaged On Flywheel Ring Gear

However, grinding may also happen, inside the starting motor. In either case, it’s something that can’t be fixed, on the engine. Damage to your flywheel will happen, if not repaired quickly.

You Smell Or See Smoke, When Starting The Engine

Electricity powers all starters. Sometimes, the starting motor will overheat. If this occurs, you’ll most likely see or smell smoke coming from, underneath the engine. A short circuit or failing ignition switch, may cause this.

Starter, Soaked With Oil

The starter is often located, around the bottom of the engine. And, is vulnerable to soaking from leaks. An oil-soaked starter likely has, a short life remaining. Consider correcting the leak and replacing the automotive car starter, before a malfunction occurs.

Malfunctioning, Starter Solenoid

The solenoid transmits electrical current, from the battery, to the starting motor. When you turn the key, it pushes the starter drive into the flywheel, to allow cranking. Without the solenoid, the starter will not work.

Starter Solenoid
Starter Solenoid

If you turn the key and nothing happens, try jiggling the transmission gear shift lever. If the engine still will not crank, there might be something wrong with, the solenoid.

Engine, Freewheeling

Freewheeling occurs when, you crank the engine and simply hear a whining noise, without the engine cranking. When this occurs, it means the automotive car starter is not engaging with the flywheel. This is a worrying situation, which could result in having to replace the whole component.

Intermittent Issues, Starting The Engine

If you try to start your engine and the engine doesn’t start instantly, you may have to try again. If it works the second time it is most likely, due to a problem with the relay.

Starter Relay In Electrical Box
Starter Relay In Electrical Box

The relay is an all or nothing device, meaning that it either, sends the full electrical current or nothing. In some occasions, a damaged relay, can cause a clicking sound, when you turn the key.

Automotive Car Starter Stays Running, After The Engine Started

When you start the engine and release the key the circuit will, discontinue the power to the starting motor. If this stays on after the engine has started, the main contacts in the solenoid, have most likely failed. This will ultimately cause serious damage, to the whole starting system and the flywheel.

Conclusion

So, problems with the starting motor, are virtually impossible to avoid. Finally, there really isn’t a predetermined or recommended replacement, by the automotive manufacturer.

Thank You !